Device for latching or locking two objects together

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for locking or latching two objects together including a housing, a pair of spring loaded pins within said housing, a keeper in said housing mounted for pivotal movement about a fulcrum point adjacent said pins and for rectilinear movement on said pins, and a tongue having a protrusion thereon which slides into said housing under said keeper wherein said tongue is locked in place. The springs on said pins bias said keeper toward a position which locks said tongue in said housing.

Unite States Patent [1 1 [111 3,852,853 Thomas Dec. 10, 1974 41 DEVICE FOR LATCHING OR LOCKING TWO OBJECTS TOGETHER Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Darrell Marquette [76] Inventor: g z f m i gg 22nd Attorney, Agent, or FirmMorton J. Frome [22] Filed: Dec. .15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 315,579 57 ABSTRACT 52 US. Cl 24/230 A, 24/230 AL A device is provided for locking or latching two 51 int. Cl A44b 19/00 J'ects together including a housing a P i of Spring [58] Field of Search 24/230 A, 230 TC, 230 SL, loaded pins within said housing, a keeper in'said hous- 24/230 AN 230 AL 230 v 20517 ing mounted for pivotal movement about a fulcrum point adjacent said pins and for rectilinear movement 56] References Cited on said pins, and a tongue having a protrusion thereon UNITED STATES PATENTS which .slides into said housing under said keeper wherein said tongue is locked in place. The springs on 3 22 said pins bias said keeper toward a position which sIsvoIon 3/1971 ci bilff: 24/230 A mks tongue m said housing FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1,319,355 l/l963 France 24/230 AL |0\ l E l 2s 2 DEVICE FOR LATCHI NG OR LOCKING TWO OBJECTS TOGETHER This invention relates to a multi-purpose device for temporarily or permanently locking or latching two ob- It is another object of the present invention to provide a latching device which is suitable for attaching construction materials together, such as prefabricated wall panels or fence panels.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a latching device which may be used for releasably attaching carrying handles to such items as tool boxes, pocket books, brief cases, or suit cases.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a latching device which is suitable for use on doors, gates, or windows and which may be provided with a key lock for securing the same in closed positions. I

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a latching device which is suitable for use on doors, gates or windows having a fusible portion which melts under extreme temperatures to facilitate the release of the latch in case of fire in the surrounding building.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a latching device which may be miniaturized for use as a clasp on watch bands, bracelets, or other jewelry.

These and other objects of the present invention and the attendant advantages thereof will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view partially in section illustrating the latching device of the present invention in an unlatched position.

FIG. 2 is a side view in section similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the latching device of the present invention occupying a locked position. I

FIG. 3 is-an end view of the housing portion of the latching device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view in section illustrating a second I embodiment of the latching device of the present invention.

Referring with more particularity to FIGS. 1 to 3 there is shown a housing generally indicated as 10. Housing is opened at one end and is provided with a curved floor 12. A pair of pins 14 are vertically disposed in housing 10. Pins 14 are mounted in the top and bottom walls of housing 10 and are equally spaced from the sidewalls thereof. A pair of nuts, washers, or other suitable means 16 are provided on each respective pin 14 at the bottom thereof where said nuts rest on curved floor 12 of housing 10. Coil springs 18 are provided on each pin 14, the purpose of which will become more apparent hereinafter.

A keeper generally indicated as is provided with holes for alignment with pin 14 and is mounted on the same between nuts 16 and springs 18 for rectilinear movement. Keeper 20 is provided with a first curved portion 22 which pivots about the top front edges of nuts 16 as a fulcrum point. Keeper 20 is further provided with a second curved portion 24 which acts as a camming surface which will be described hereinafter. Keeper 20 is provided with a further portion 25 which extends from housing 10 and is adapted to actuate the release mechanism of the present invention.

A slidable tongue generally indicated as 26 is provided having a protrusion 28 thereon. Protrusion 28 in a preferred embodiment is a right angle bend in tongue 26. However, protrusion 28 may be a hook or any other suitable means without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

In operation in order to latch the device of the present invention tongue 26 is slidably inserted into housing 10 wherein protrusion 28 contacts cam surface 24 and forces keeper 20 to ride vertically upward along pins 14 against the force of coil springs 18. Tongue 26 continues to move under keeper 20 until it is desired to release the latch.

To release the latch the end portion25 of keeper 20 is depressed whereby keeper 20 pivots about curved portion 22 in contact with the top front edge of nuts 16. As keeper 20 begins to pivot it also commences its rectilinear vertical movement up pins 14. Keeper 20 must only be depressed long enough to release protrusion 28. As soon as protrusion 28 moves under keeper 20 by slidably moving tongue 26, protrusion 28 will cam. keeper 20 upwardly until tongue 26 is entirely removed from housing 10.

FIG. 4 discloses a second embodiment of the latching device of the present invention which eliminates the need for nuts 16 and curved portion 22 in keeper 20. A single curved portion 24 in FIG. 4 merely pivots about curved floor 12 as a fulcrum point and acts as a camming surface when contacted by protrusion '28. Otherwise the operation of the device of FIG. 4 is the same as that described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The latching device of the present invention may be put to a multitude of uses. It is particularly well adapted for use on safety or seat belts because of its quick release capabilities. However, it may also be used to permanently or temporarily secure construction materials together. For example, a plurality of tongues 26 and housings 10 may be secured to prefabricated wall or fence panels and the panels may be slid together to lock the same in place. The latching device of the present invention may be manufactured in any size desired. Therefore, it may also be adapted for use as a clasp for various types of jewelry.

The latching mechanism of the present invention is strong and durable, the double pin arrangement providing a positive and mechanically efficient movement of the keeper member. Also by using two pins and two springs even if one fails the device could still operate satisfactorily.

The device'of the present invention may be modified as it would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A device for latching two objects together comprising: a housing having at least one open end; at least one pin means mounted in said housing at a predetermined distance from said open end; keeper means in said housing having a front edge adjacent said open' end and a back edge disposed on the opposite side of said pin means from said open end; tongue means having a protrusion thereon, said tongue means being slidable into said housing under said keeper means from said front edge toward said back edge for locking engagement of said protrusion with said back edge; a fulcrum means in said housing between said front and back edges on the side of said pin means adjacent said open end; each of said front and back edges of said keeper means being pivotally mounted for movement about said fulcrum means in two opposite directions both for the movement of said tongue means into said housing into locking engagement with said keeper and for the movement of said tongue means out of said housing and out of said locking engagement with said keeper means; said keeper means being mounted on said pin means for rectilinear movement thereon as said keeper means pivots about said fulcrum means; and means for biasing said keeper means toward a locking position to hold said protrusion in locking engagement with said back edge.

2. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein at least two pin means are provided.

3. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 2 wherein said means for biasing said keeper toward a locking position comprises a coil spring on each pin means.

4. A device for latching two objects together accord ing to claim 1 wherein said pin means has nut means disposed thereon,- one edge of said nut means forming said fulcrum point.

5. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a curved bottom and said keeper means pivots about said curved bottom as a fulcrum point.

6. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion comprises an integral bend in one end of said tongue means.

7. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 6 wherein said bend is a right angle bend.

8. A device for latching two objects together according to claim '1 wherein said housing and tongue means are respectively mounted on mating portions of a seat belt.

9. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said housing and tongue means are respectively mounted on construction materials tobe attached together.

10. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said keeper means is curved to form a camming surface which operatively engages said protrusion to move said keeper along said pin means as said tongue means is slid into or out of said housing.

'11. A device for latching two objects together comprising:

a. a housing having at least one open end;

b. at least one pin means mounted in said housing;

c. keeper means in saidhousing mounted for pivotal movement about a fulcrum point adjacent said pin means and rectilinear movement on said pin means betweena locking position and a release position;

said nut means' forming said fulcrum point. 

1. A device for latching two objects together comprising: a housing having at least one open end; at least one pin means mounted in said housing at a predetermined distance from said open end; keeper means in said housing having a front edge adjacent said open end and a back edge disposed on the opposite side of said pin means from said open end; tongue means having a protrusion thereon, said tongue means being slidable into said housing under said keeper means from said front edge toward said back edge for locking engagement of said protrusion with said back edge; a fulcrum means in said housing between said front and back edges on the side of said pin means adjacent said open end; each of said front and back edges of said keeper means being pivotaLly mounted for movement about said fulcrum means in two opposite directions both for the movement of said tongue means into said housing into locking engagement with said keeper and for the movement of said tongue means out of said housing and out of said locking engagement with said keeper means; said keeper means being mounted on said pin means for rectilinear movement thereon as said keeper means pivots about said fulcrum means; and means for biasing said keeper means toward a locking position to hold said protrusion in locking engagement with said back edge.
 2. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein at least two pin means are provided.
 3. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 2 wherein said means for biasing said keeper toward a locking position comprises a coil spring on each pin means.
 4. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said pin means has nut means disposed thereon, one edge of said nut means forming said fulcrum point.
 5. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a curved bottom and said keeper means pivots about said curved bottom as a fulcrum point.
 6. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said protrusion comprises an integral bend in one end of said tongue means.
 7. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 6 wherein said bend is a right angle bend.
 8. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said housing and tongue means are respectively mounted on mating portions of a seat belt.
 9. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein said housing and tongue means are respectively mounted on construction materials to be attached together.
 10. A device for latching two objects together according to claim 1 wherein a portion of said keeper means is curved to form a camming surface which operatively engages said protrusion to move said keeper along said pin means as said tongue means is slid into or out of said housing.
 11. A device for latching two objects together comprising: a. a housing having at least one open end; b. at least one pin means mounted in said housing; c. keeper means in said housing mounted for pivotal movement about a fulcrum point adjacent said pin means and rectilinear movement on said pin means between a locking position and a release position; d. means for biasing said keeper toward said locking position; e. tongue means having a protrusion thereon, said tongue means being slidable into the open end of said housing under said keeper, for locking engagement therewith; and f. nut means disposed on said pin means, one edge of said nut means forming said fulcrum point. 